Hambletonian Day winners came up big in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll.
Manchego, who became the first mare to win the John Cashman Memorial (formerly Nat Ray) since Moni Maker in 2000, remained No. 1 and saw four newcomers join her in the Top 10. Leading that group was Hambletonian champion Captain Corey, who climbed to second in the rankings.
Also making debuts in the Top 10 were Hambletonian Oaks winner Bella Bellini at seventh, Peter Haughton Memorial winner King Of The North at No. 9 and Jim Doherty Memorial winner Venerable at No. 10.
Atlanta, who captured the Dr. John R. Steele Memorial, jumped from seventh to fourth and Lady Liberty winner Lyons Sentinel moved from ninth to fifth.
Hot Mess Express, who did not race, stayed at No. 3.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll does not determine Horse of the Year. The members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association vote on all Dan Patch Award division winners plus Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year and Horse of the Year.
Rankings based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 12 – 8/10/2021
| Rank | Name (First Votes) | A/S/G | Record | Earnings | Points | Pvs |
| 1 | Manchego (32) | 6mt | 7-6-0-1 | $419,755 | 345 | 1 |
| 2 | Captain Corey (2) | 3ct | 5-3-1-0 | $583,695 | 241 | — |
| 3 | Hot Mess Express (1) | 3fp | 7-7-0-0 | $314,590 | 209 | 3 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 6mt | 5-3-1-0 | $198,346 | 171 | 7 |
| 5 | Lyons Sentinel | 4mp | 10-4-1-2 | $270,908 | 161 | 9 |
| 6 | This Is The Plan | 6gp | 14-5-7-1 | $629,104 | 160 | 2 |
| 7 | Bella Bellini | 3ft | 11-7-4-0 | $382,585 | 124 | — |
| 8 | Test Of Faith | 3fp | 6-5-1-0 | $179,050 | 120 | 4 |
| 9 | King Of The North | 2ct | 5-5-0-0 | $274,390 | 113 | — |
| 10 | Venerable | 2ft | 4-4-0-0 | $280,255 | 75 | — |
ALSO: Nicholas Beach 38; Charlie May 26; Hellabalou 25; Catch The Fire 20; Perfect Sting 19; Beads 14; Winning Ticket 13; Cattlewash 9; Allywag Hanover, Bulldog Hanover 8; Rockyroad Hanover 7; It’s Academic 4; Betterhavemymoney, Lawless Shadow 3; Pebble Beach, Sea Silk 2; Fire Start Hanover, Ponda Warrior, Southwind Amazon, Southwind Gendry, When Dovescry 1.
(USTA)